BACKGROUND

The component institutions of The University of Texas System (UT System) have achieved reputations as outstanding institutions of higher education. Reputation is specific to the name of the UT System and each component institution. This reputation is represented by the seal, trademarks, logos, and service marks used by the UT System and its component institutions (UT Trademarks).

In 1981 The Board of Regents established a licensing program to protect the institutional names and identifying marks. The System trademarks are registered with the U.S. Office of Patent and Trademarks, the State of Texas, and in many foreign countries. These marks are the exclusive property of The Board of Regents. Policies and procedures have been developed to license the use of the marks under the Trademark Policy.

The Office of Trademark Licensing along with the Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC) and Strategic Marketing Affiliates (SMA) administers the licensing program. The success of the licensing program is evidenced by the fact that annual royalty income from more than 500 licensees now exceeds $1.5 million.

Licensees and the purchase of licensed products make a valuable contribution to the UT System institutions. Consequently, the purchase of products licensed by the Office of Trademark Licensing provides funds that support the activities and mission of the universities. Conversely, the sale of a product with an unlicensed mark is an infringement of UT System's valuable trademark rights and diminishes the universities' ability to accomplish their goals.